Ructions In Lesotho Over Licensing Of Starlink

This followed an announcement by Prime Minister Samuel Matekane earlier this month that his government would remove barriers to US investment, in the midst of a tariff onslaught.

On 2 April, US President Donald Trump imposed a 50 tariff on imports from Lesotho - the highest among all affected countries - threatening up to 12 000 jobs in factories that export to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act Agoa. He later paused the 50 tariff for 90 days. But this still leaves in place a 10 tariff that came into effect on 5 April.

The Lesotho Communications Authority LCA announced on Monday that its board of directors had approved Starlink's application to provide satellite internet services across the country.

The LCA said this was a milestone in Lesotho's digital transformation and a commitment to building a competitive, transparent and innovative communications sector. "The approval of the operating licence clears the path for the authority to finalise the terms and conditions under which Starlink Lesotho will provide satellite internet services to individuals and businesses across Lesotho," the LCA said in a statement.

"At this critical juncture, while Section Two continues to seek further information regarding this deeply concerning development, we express our profound dismay at the decision by the LCA to grant a licence to Starlink to operate a satellite network and provide internet services in the country."